Montanans Are Now Eligible For Emergency Drought Loan

BUTTE, MT - Montanans are facing the brutal financial toll of this year’s prolonged drought now have a federal safety net to fall back on.

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Following a USDA designation of ten Wyoming counties as primary natural disaster areas due to eight consecutive weeks of D2 Severe Drought intensity, emergency loans are now available to producers in both primary and contiguous counties—including Gallatin County, Montana.

These loans, administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), are intended to help farmers recover from drought-related losses, offering critical support to those trying to stay afloat through one of the harshest dry spells in recent memory.

Who Is Eligible?

Before we get to the Montanans eligible, the USDA disaster declaration covers the following primary Wyoming counties:

• Albany

• Big Horn

• Carbon

• Fremont

• Hot Springs

• Lincoln

• Natrona

• Park

• Sublette

• Washakie

Farmers in contiguous counties are also eligible, including:

• Converse

• Johnson

• Laramie

• Platte

• Sheridan

• Sweetwater

• Teton

• Uinta

But, more importantly for Montanans, Gallatin County is also included under the USDA’s emergency loan eligibility due to its geographic proximity to the affected areas.

If you're unsure if you qualify, you are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for clarification.

What the Loans Can Be Used For

Emergency loans are flexible in how they can be used to help farmers stabilize and rebuild. These funds can go toward:

• Replacing livestock or essential equipment lost or damaged due to drought

• Reorganizing farming operations to become more resilient or efficient

• Refinancing existing debts that may have become unmanageable due to income loss

The FSA evaluates each loan based on the applicant’s losses, available collateral, and ability to repay.

While loans are not guaranteed for every applicant, they are designed to serve those hit hardest by the disaster.

How to Apply

Farmers in Gallatin County and other eligible areas have until November 25, 2025, to submit their application for a USDA emergency loan.

To apply, farmers must:

1. Contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office. A list of local offices and their contact info is available at www.fsa.usda.gov.

2. Document their drought-related losses and financial need.

3. Prepare financial and operational records, including tax documents, income statements, and a current business plan if available.

4. Work with FSA staff to assess eligibility and complete the loan application.

Full details, including the official drought designation notice, can be found on the USDA website here.

How do you feel about it?

For Montana farmers still reeling from the consequences of the ongoing drought, this emergency loan program could provide the financial boost needed to continue operations through the season and beyond. While it's not a permanent fix, it's a meaningful step toward recovery and resilience.

Those eligible are strongly encouraged to begin the application process soon, as gathering documentation and working through loan approval can take time. For many in Gallatin County and surrounding areas, this is a critical window of opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.